Monday, August 06, 2018

I estimate only 10-12 Primates care about the NBA, none of whom can be bothered to curate their own thread to avoid detracting from what this site is really about: Trying to get one of us hired as the GM of the Philadelphia 76ers

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Lauri says he's put on 14lbs this offseason. So probably about 8lbs of muscle and four of fat, the fat will be trimmed by training camp, or ideally, right at the start of the regular season. He wore down last year so hopefully he can maintain his weight throughout the season and his energy levels with it. Lebron has mastered the art of bulking up then slimming down in season, hopefully Lauri can do the same.

Of course I am also pretty sure Lebron has great milkshakes. Maybe Lauri can visit some of those labs in Russia while he's in Finland this summer.

Maybe their long term plan is bad but they won 27 last year and they should be improved this season, right? Right? Plus the rest of the East should be even worse this year? They lost 4 times to the Cavs last year, for example.

I guess judging a team by number of wins is kind of a waste of time in today's NBA anyway, since a quarter of the league now tries to lose every game in the last half of the season once they know they won't be in the playoffs.

Can you walk more through your NO rationale? Is it just having a full season of Mirotic instead of Boogie? I can see that, but I can also see an alternate version where Payton is worse than Rondo and they lose some of their speed with both Randle and Mirotic.

Can you walk more through your NO rationale? Is it just having a full season of Mirotic instead of Boogie?

That's a lot of it. Not having Boogie forced NO to focus their offense — rightly — on AD fully, and the Pels really gelled after that. I think Payton will be fine, and I think their defense will actually improve with Randle. AD is the rim protector on that squad, and while Randle isn't, he's much more defensively mobile than most other bigs and can get out on shooters. I also expect HOU, POR, and OKC to all slide a bit, and that's another part of why I think the Pels move up.

that should fill at least 7 of 12 roster spots. the rest of the team should be all-world 30+ year olds (lebron, durant, curry, harden, westbrook) and a younger star or two, who also fills a specific role (KAT, tatum, fultz, ball, collins, jackson, booker, bagley, porter)

kyle anderson's defensive metrics were so good that you can find measures that have him > demar
they're old and getting older
even bad danny green is still a roughly average player
poertl is solid but doesn't help spacing
marco and dante are sub replacement level

I followed the NBA and ABA for many years, fell out sometime toward the end of Bird and Magic, with a little rensissance around Duncan, Shaq, and the last good Pistons team. It seems like most of the time I've commented here it's been prompted by a death - and it seems like basketball players either live forever or their deaths aren't covered very prominently. Cousy's still around, so the former cannot be dismissed out of hand.

I'm also wondering if it's just numbers: in 1967-68, there were about 144 players in the NBA, compared to about 500 in MLB. Fewer players, fewer deaths.

"A vintage dose of Celtics/Sixers, Giannis and the Bucks at MSG against the Knicks and (you guessed it) LeBron's Lakers in Oakland to face the Warriors are the highlights of the NBA's Christmas Day schedule that will be announced Wednesday afternoon, league sources tell @NYTSports"

"Portland Trail Blazers will face the Utah Jazz on the road in one of the five Christmas Day games, league sources tell ESPN."

I've warmed up to James Nunnally (min salary Wolves signee) a bit. He can really shoot from distance (hit over half his threes over the last two Euroleague campaigns) and is a high 80s guy from the line + is a solid passer for a three (not a playmaker but he moves the ball along nicely). Not a great rebounder and, my biggest worry, the usage rate is really low. He can't create his shot and he really isn't much of a threat except as a spot up release valve. Defensively, he's billed as a 3/2 but might be more of a 3/4. Doesn't fight through screens like I'd like - but should be a decent defender, especially if that is how he earns minutes.

I think I like him more than Dallas' similarly sized 28 year old exiled-in-Europe addition, Ryan Broekhoff - who is a better rebounder and has more weapons as a scorer but is worse defensively.

He can't create his shot and he really isn't much of a threat except as a spot up release valve

That's fine with the Wolves. Even the second unit has plenty of shot creation in it. One of Wiggins or Butler is almost always on the court.

Doesn't fight through screens like I'd like - but should be a decent defender, especially if that is how he earns minutes.

You're exactly right that his defense will have to earn minutes. Backup 3 is wide open for the Wolves. Rose will probably get minutes on the wing with Tyus Jones. The rest of the bench wing minutes can get divided up between CJ Williams, Nunnally, Bates-Diop, Okogie, and possibly Terrell (2way contract). Thibs will probably default to whoever plays the smartest defense.

Just got an email from Gregg Popovich, as one typically gets on a Wednesday, raising money for the Innocence Project:

I’m happy to share that the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) partnership with the Innocence Project and the larger Innocence Network of organizations around the world, will expand to include NBA Voices. NBA Voices is the NBA’s initiative to promote inclusion, uplift voices and bridge divides in our communities.

We know NBA fans care about justice in their communities, and we’re grateful that NBA Voices and NBCA can bring our fans together with Innocence Project and Innocence Network supporters to work for change.

I think Popovich and Kerr would both make good elected officials if they wanted to do it--which I seriously doubt either of them would.

I'd agree. They both have perspective on things from outside basketball and both seem to have an natural empathy for the "other" and they can obviously communicate. On the other hand, the bar for public service has been so lowered I think JR Smith might be just fine, too.

I think Popovich and Kerr would both make good elected officials if they wanted to do it--which I seriously doubt either of them would.

I could easily vote for them for city council, maybe even mayor of a small city. You gotta start somewhere. But recent experience convinces me that political experience is an essential qualification for higher office. Basically I wouldn't want Obama running my NBA team and I wouldn't want the coach (or owner, looking at you Mark Cuban) of my NBA team running my government.

Utah, Toronto, Philly, Denver, Milwaukee, Pacers and the Pelicans are all way up vs last year. I really like it, I think they got it right. I could be wrong, but the sense I get is they aren't catering to markets. Maybe they weren't really doing that before, but it feels like they're just getting a lot of the exciting young players on good but not great teams way more action in the national games, which is absolutely something I am happy about.

I also like that every team gets at least one national game. Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Orlando had none last year, but there are no teams fully left behind this year. It seems worthwhile to make sure a fan of any team gets at least one chance to see them on national tv in a season.

bucks re-signed shabazz muhammad, but i think it's only to a training camp deal. heat also signed a former team member, briante weber, to a tranning camp deal - his is an exhibit 10 (thus, he'll likely go to the g league should he not make the club).

We covered this already last thread but: Also lost Anderson (some metrics love! him), some metrics still like Green, added some sub-replacement people, Derozan's D has been _terrible_, and an old team got older. (Also, maybe regression from Lamarcus?)

Last year was by far his most productive season and it came in his 30s. How much of that is usage vs. having a career year is a fair question, but even with great coaches, not many guys peak at that point in their career.

If, as is always my assumption, Dwight Howard is talking mostly about candy, I am willing to believe it is within his grasp to become a combination of Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. If he's talking basketball, well, ahahahahaha.

it does.
anyway, he was first team all g-league and first team all summer league - which tells you that he can put up numbers in volume. weird that he didn't get a call up last year but he doesn't have much tactical use yet, it's just the promise of a 22 year old who has tools and some skills.

Zeller is unguaranteed so he's in the mix with Shabazz and Wood fighting for one spot (they have 14 guaranteed contracts already). I'm surprised Wood couldn't get a guaranteed contract after his summer league, he looked really good.

yeah, I guess I'm more surprised that a team with lesser center depth than the Bucks didn't want to give him a training camp shot. The Bucks already have 4 guys that can only play center, and even if Wood can play the 4 they don't have any minutes available there either.

Off the wall question here - any Bulls fans who can give me tips about going to a game? I don't get out of San Diego very often but I find myself in Chicago on an upcoming business trip Sat Nov 3 and I see on the schedule it looks like the Bulls are hosting Houston on that date. I thought that might be a good game to go to. Any helpful hints on best place to get tickets, best seats to watch game w/o paying a fortune, good restaurants nearby, etc.?

Moeball, Bulls games are pretty pricy for how terrible the team is but I generally have the best luck with seatgeek.com. You might be able to find something reasonable if you keep on eye on it, even against the Rockets.

There's a few sports bars with food right next to the stadium but I haven't really liked any of the ones I've gone to. A few blocks east of the arena is Randolph Street, one of the hottest restaurant areas in the city. There's also a really good brewery north a few blocks, Great Central, and Goose Island has a taproom up there as well. In my experience, there's plenty of good stuff a 10-15 minute walk from the UC but nothing great right in the immediate area. I don't go to many Bulls games though so someone who does might have more nearby recommendations.

Off the wall question here - any Bulls fans who can give me tips about going to a game? I don't get out of San Diego very often but I find myself in Chicago on an upcoming business trip Sat Nov 3 and I see on the schedule it looks like the Bulls are hosting Houston on that date. I thought that might be a good game to go to. Any helpful hints on best place to get tickets, best seats to watch game w/o paying a fortune, good restaurants nearby, etc.?

I drove to the games I went to, but I do think there's a train stop nearby. Never ate near the United Center, and I'd suggest eating before going (especially if your work is paying, I'd try for Girl and the Goat). Seatgeek is great for single game tickets, and I felt like I had a great view even in the upper section there.

The United Center actually doesn't have its own train station so it's a little confusing. People get off at the "Illinois Medical District" station on the blue line and walk 4 blocks north. Or take the 20 Madison bus that goes east-west back and forth on Madison St and does stop right at the United Center. And on game days there are dedicated buses from the other major train stations.

The United Center actually doesn't have its own train station so it's a little confusing. People get off at the "Illinois Medical District" station on the blue line and walk 4 blocks north. Or take the 20 Madison bus that goes east-west back and forth on Madison St and does stop right at the United Center. And on game days there are dedicated buses from the other major train stations.

Or the Green line stop at Ashland (3 blocks east of the stadium), I think that's a little closer than the Blue line stop.

I'll echo what Tom said, you'll want to eat before heading to the UC, unless you want to eat there. The UC does have pretty good food as far as stadium food goes.

I hate sitting behind the baskets, and am totally fine with the upper deck (300) seats as long as their closer to center court. Most of the 200 level seats are pretty good, but again, you'll pay quite a bit for them. Because the Bulls do so well with attendance, they can keep those prices high and don't have to try that hard to be good.

"The fans see his spirit," Zhang said. "Last year's trip to China made me see perhaps the most humble NBA star, and it was the fans' love for him that moved him to tears."

However, while it was his on-court success that initially drew Chinese fans to Rose, it was the emotional connection the three-time All-Star made on his annual visits that kept the fans coming back. Rose's continued perseverance through multiple injuries and setbacks appealed to a fanbase that hoped to emulate his relentless pursuit of success.

"Over there, even more so than here, people never forget those moments," Jackiewicz said. "Him hitting big shots, the many moments of his MVP season, him talking about his mom and crying at his press conference, that is all stuff that will continue to be a part of basketball history there and a really important chapter of NBA history."

Yes, what NBA fan will ever forget the Derek Rose Era of the NBA, when a humble, hardworking basketball player from the podunk town of Chicago who loves his mother relentlessly chased his basketball dreams...

Not sure the details of the model underlying this, or how the simulations were run (I found it via this tweet), so there's a nontrivial chance I'm just ogling statistical noise, but I found it interesting to see which teams' distributions were flatter compared to their expected peers.

So, possible scenarios here: I think best-case for everyone involved is that maybe his sister or his cousin, or maybe a girlfriend or wife needed a ride across town and they didn’t want to pay for an Uber or taxi. That’s probably best-case scenario. And then from there you can go darker. This is not funny, but child abduction, human trafficking. Like, Chelsea’s dead serious texting me today and she’s like, “I’m calling the FBI tip line and I’m opening a claim. This is serious.” I don’t know what to make of it. It definitely was not a dog. I will say that. It was a human being in the back seat of his car, under a blanket in some sort of box or cage. That’s my story.

Uhhhhh. “This was less than 24 hours ago,” Redick said afterward.

“That’s New York for you,” Bamba said. Mo, what have you been up to in New York, man